why does everybody try and make you feel bad when you wean your baby from the breast?

Question

i have to wean my 9 month old from breastfeeding and on to formula sometime soon and all these people just jump to conclusions like i am doing it just because i want to.
i am starting medication soon for my own health and hence cant breastfeed i already feel guilty enough without people rubbing it in.
i hate giving my baby formula i think its like poison or something when i give it to her i feel soooo guilty why am i so attached to breastfeeding i mean i dont love doing it its just i dunno and why should i care about what others think?????
what do you all think about it anybody with any experience thanks for listening.

Answer 1

Due to medications for myself as well, I was not allowed to breastfeed either of my kids. I figured they were better off with formula than tainted breastmilk. My children are 2 and almost 5, very healthy and very smart.

Answer 2

You're right, you shouldn't care what other people think. But you SHOULD care about what is best for your baby. It sounds like you already do, and I think it's fantastic that you've breastfed your baby for this long.

The reason you are so attached to breastfeeding is probably because you know that it is best for your baby. And in MOST cases, there is no need to wean at such a young age. Many, many doctors -- far more than should be the case -- are either uneducated or unsupportive of breastfeeding. They advise women to wean their babies so that they can follow a certain course of action that may or may not be necessary. They often don't even research alternatives to see if it's possible to continue a different course of treatment so that the mother can continue breastfeeding. For this reason, if I were you I would research VERY thoroughly your particular situation to see if weaning can be avoided. You already know that breastfeeding is best for the baby, and you already know that formula is a poor substitute. But don't follow your doctor blindly -- do some of your own research. And if you already have, and you've decided that weaning is the best course of action, then let it go and do what you have to do. Be at peace with yourself for your decision and don't let other people bother you about it. You have to weigh your own situation for yourself so that you can feel confident about it. If you need help researching your particular situation, please feel free to contact me. I would love to be able to help you if I can, and I won't judge you if it turns out you decide to wean your baby. Formula was created for this very reason -- to give nourishment to babies who can't get it from their mothers for one reason or another. And while it is a form of artificial breastmilk that is not optimal, it is as close as mankind has been able to come to nature's perfect food, and many babies have thrived on it. You should be proud that you made it this far, and don't let other people bully you once you have made an educated, informed decision that you feel secure in. Good luck, and please don't hesitate to contact me.

Answer 3

I had the opposite problem, everyone kept telling me to "just stick a bottle in that kid's mouth"! I'm glad you have people to encourage you to continue.
As for the medication...have you checked with a lactation nurse or the La Leche League? Or check Dr. Hale's book. Any one of these can tell you if you really HAVE to stop because of your meds.
My doc told me I had to stop when my baby was barely 5 mo. I was devastated!! I called the lactation nurse that I was renting my pump from. She told me to pump & freeze my milk for a few days while she checked on my meds & the effect it could have on her. In the meantime my baby looked at me like I had lost my mind giving her a bottle!! Tuned out that I COULD slill nurse her and all that milk in the freezer was fine too!
If you do have to quit, just try to remember you did the best possible thing for your baby. Children need healthy parents too, even if it does mean formula!

Hope I helped. Be encouraged!!

Answer 4

I breastfed my daughter until she was 9 months old. The reason I stopped was becasue she kept biting me. As much as I do think breast is best (as nature intended it), I believe more strongly that 'mother knows best'. Anyway, it does not matter that I think breast is best, for your child, it is what you think is best. You have given your baby a good start already by making 9 months and NOBODY can tell you that they know better than you when it comes to your own child. I know it is hard to ignore other mothers who think they know it all, but try to. Some mothers don't seem to realise that all of their 'advice' (criticism??) is not wanted. Formula is fine for a baby to have, especially at 9 months and also while they are already eating solids.

Answer 5

They have nothing better to do thats why. At a year he would need to be weaned anyways to keep him from getting bad teeth and ALSO BECAUSE THERE not the ones getting bit. I had to wean my baby when he was 6 months old because he had pnemonia and was in the hospital and I felt guilty and I believe its because thats a mothers bonding time with her child and it is something only us as woman can do. :) Don't be hard on yourself and I pray u are ok.

Answer 6

9 months old baby,why are people so critical of that?
it's not like hes only 2 weeks old and you haven't given him the proper start to life.
congratulations for making this far.
he is eating solids well, so breastfeeds start dwindling by now so do not feel guilty!!

Answer 7

tell them to mind they're own business. this is your choice. there is so much propaganda out there about breastfeeding people don't even know the facts and evenstill their fact are only statistics which can be altered to say whatever that study is trying to promote. Do what is best for you and that is what is best for that baby. Good luck!